After a long break, Australian aircraft maker GippsAero is starting production again at its Latrobe Valley factory. The first new GA8 Airvan begins construction today on June 12, 2025. This comes after the company was bought back by the Morgan family, its original owners, in late 2023.
The GA8 is a small, tough airplane that can carry up to eight people. It is used around the world for cargo, tourism, skydiving, and flying in remote areas. Production stopped in 2020 when GippsAero was owned by Mahindra Aerospace. Now, the original team is working to bring it back to the market making this the Australia’s only general aviation, certified aircraft manufacturer.
The GA8 in Microsoft Flight Simulator
As the real aircraft returns, a detailed digital version of the GA8 is also coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator. The new model is being developed by SimWorks Studios (SWS). The developers are working with real-world data and feedback from pilots to make the plane as accurate as possible. This is a rare moment when a real aircraft is coming back to life at the same time it’s being launched in a simulator. Pilots, students, and fans can now explore the GA8 in the virtual world before seeing new ones take off in real life.
Even GippsAero is excited with the introducion of the new GA8 and has congratulated the SWS team on their social media.
Photos: Latrobe City Council
